“OK, we’re almost there; just a few more steps.” Tim got her to the bathroom and sat her down on the vanity chair. Bette protested when they passed the bed. Even though she was soaking wet all she wanted to do was lie down.

“I just need to sleep…” Bette slurred

“I know baby but we need to get you out of these wet clothes.” Again Bette heard Tina’s voice. Was she hallucinating? Why was she hearing Tina’s voice when it was Tim helping her? She opened her eyes and saw Tina standing in front of her. Her hair was wet and she was wearing Bette’s robe. Bette thought for sure that she was hallucinating or maybe it was all a dream but even if it was an apparition she needed Tina to know that she was sorry. Bette started to sob uncontrollably.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… Tee I’m so sorry.” Tina takes Bette’s face in her hands and gently wipes the tears. She notices Tim is still standing in the bathroom not sure what to do.

“Thank you Tim. I can handle things from here.” Tim slips out of the house leaving Tina to take care of her wife.

***

Earlier that evening…

Tina was still in the guest bathroom when Bette entered the house earlier that evening. She’d flushed the toilet and washed her hands just seconds before she heard the front door open and shut. She quickly turned off the light and waited for several minutes hoping that Bette hadn’t seen or heard anything. She didn’t want her wife to discover her in the house.

Tina needn’t worry because Bette made a beeline to the master bedroom as soon as she walked into the house. She could hear Bette moving around the bedroom and she heard her yell ‘Fuck you Candace’. She could only imagine that Bette had seen the email. Afterwards it got very quiet so she assumed Bette had gone to sleep. She slipped out of the bathroom and exited the house through the sliding doors leading from the kitchen to the back yard.

The next few minutes had been the most horrifying of her life. She thought her eyes were deceiving her when she saw Bette’s lifeless body fully submerged under the water. She didn’t recall jumping in the pool or pulling Bette to the surface. She’d just reacted. Fortunately for both of them Tim was sitting outside having a beer when he heard the splashing and Tina calling for help. He ran over immediately.